Torque converter blade assembly with braced tab

Abstract

A blade assembly for a torque converter includes a shell extending annularly about an axis and defining an inner surface and a plurality of blades arranged around the inner surface of the shell. The plurality of blades each include a curved portion contacting the inner surface. The plurality of blades each further include a brace including a first leg and a second leg each extending circumferentially from the curved portion relative to the axis. The second leg is radially spaced from the first leg relative to the axis. The plurality of blades each further include a tab disposed radially between the first leg and the second leg relative to the axis. The tab extends axially from the curved portion relative to the axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A blade assembly for a torque converter, comprising:
 a shell extending annularly about an axis and defining an inner surface; 
 a plurality of blades arranged around the inner surface of the shell, the plurality of blades each including:
 a curved portion contacting the inner surface; 
 a brace including a first leg and a second leg each extending circumferentially from the curved portion relative to the axis, wherein the second leg is radially spaced from the first leg relative to the axis; and 
 a tab disposed radially between the first leg and the second leg relative to the axis, the tab extending axially from the curved portion relative to the axis, wherein the brace includes an opening corresponding to a size and a shape of the tab. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The blade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shell includes a groove extending at least partially therethrough, the tab arranged in the groove. 
     
     
       3. The blade assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the brace abuts the inner surface. 
     
     
       4. The blade assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising two relief holes radially spaced from each other, the relief holes each defining a portion of the tab. 
     
     
       5. The blade assembly of  claim 4 , wherein one of the relief holes extends through a portion of the first leg, and the other of the relief holes extends through a portion of the second leg. 
     
     
       6. The blade assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the relief holes each extend through a portion of the curved portion. 
     
     
       7. The blade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is fixed to the shell. 
     
     
       8. The blade assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the brace is fixed to the shell. 
     
     
       9. The blade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the brace includes a bridge extending from the first leg to the second leg, the bridge is circumferentially spaced from the curved portion relative to the axis. 
     
     
       10. A blade assembly for a torque converter, comprising:
 a shell extending annularly about an axis and defining an inner surface; 
 a plurality of blades arranged around the inner surface of the shell, the plurality of blades each including:
 a curved portion contacting the inner surface; 
 a brace including a first leg and a second leg each extending circumferentially from the curved portion relative to the axis, wherein the second leg is radially spaced from the first leg relative to the axis; 
 a tab disposed radially between the first leg and the second leg relative to the axis, the tab extending axially from the curved portion relative to the axis; and 
 two relief holes radially spaced from each other, the relief holes each defining a portion of the tab and extending through a portion of the curved portion. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The blade assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the shell includes a groove extending at least partially therethrough, the tab arranged in the groove. 
     
     
       12. The blade assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the brace abuts the inner surface. 
     
     
       13. The blade assembly of  claim 10 , wherein one of the relief holes extends through a portion of the first leg, and the other of the relief holes extends through a portion of the second leg. 
     
     
       14. The blade assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the tab is fixed to the shell. 
     
     
       15. The blade assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the brace is fixed to the shell. 
     
     
       16. The blade assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the brace includes a bridge extending from the first leg to the second leg, the bridge is circumferentially spaced from the curved portion relative to the axis.